Lipstick-refill dispenser



Filed Feb. 9, 1962 w z //A////////7///// r FIGJ FIG. 3

IN VENTOR.

WILLIAM ACK BY ATTORNEY United States Patent O 3,214,012 LIPSTICK-REFILL DISPENSER William Mack, 79-11 41st Ave., Elmhurst, N.Y. Filed Feb. 9, 1962, Ser. No. 172,242 15 Claims. (Cl. 206-56) The present invention relates to lipstick-refill dispensers or cartridges for supplying lipstick cases of the retractable or swivel type with a fresh pomade stick.

It is the general object of the invention to provide a lipstick refill dispenser which employs a standard type of vial or container for the refill whereby the Construction of the dispenser is greatly simplified and its cost reduced.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a dispenser of the type indicated which makes possible the removal of the pomade from the dispenser and its firm placement within the holder cup of the lipstick case without danger of marring of the surface of the lipstick or soiling of the fin-gers.

Another object of the invention is to 'accomplish the above results with a minimum number of parts, which parts are of extremely simple construction, so that the dispenser can be easily mass-produced and at low cost.

Many types of lipstick-refill dispensers or cartridges have been suggested and some of them have been marketed, but with practically all of them, and particularly those which utilize a full length vial-type of casing, or a full length external sleeve as a holder for the pomade during the relling operation, marring of the pomade is almost certain to result. Such refill devices require the use of specially constructed vials and containers fittexl with ledges, notches, etc., to position and hold the pomade assembly, which increases their cost. In addition, this known type of Construction necessitates a large inventory of special vials or containers to cover the range of popular pomade sizes (diameters). This type of vial, also, with its accurately formed holding shoulders, ledges and notches, cannot rea-dily be produced in glass.

Another significant limitation common to many known refill devices is their inability to operate with lipstick containers of a wide variety of designs. In fact, most known refill devices are limited in use to a specific lipstick case or container. In contrast, my invention is universal to all lipstick container designs.

It is accordingly a still further object of the invention to provide a lipstick-refill dispenser whose parts can be made of any desired material, including -glass, plastic, metal and cardboard, and which when the outer casing or vial is made of transparent material, is of clean and highly attractive appearance and possesses superior customer appeal.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a dispenser for lipstick refills which is easily adaptable to accommodate rells for all types of lipstick cases while employing Component parts of simple structure and easy availability.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear ras the `more detailed description thereof proceeds.

In accordance with the invention, there are employed, in addition to a standard form of vial consisting of a tubular casing or body with a 'hollow cap preferably made of plastic, only two additional parts of simple design. One of these parts is in the form of a cylindrical cup which permanently encases the bottom end portion of the pomade stick; this cup can be replaced by a cylindrical sleeve, i.e., the bottom of the cup can be omitted. This cup or sleeve frictionally but releasably engages the inner wall of the hollow cap of the vial. The only additional part is a ring or sleeve which aids in spacing the lipstick from the inner wall of the vial and also serves as "Ice a finger grip, being engaged by the thumb and index finger, on removal of the vial body from the cap, both for removing the lipstick and cup assembly from the cap, and for inserting it in the holder cup of the lipstick case to which the pomade is to be transferred. The ring is so positioned that upon retraction of the lipstick within the case upon rotation of the base of the latter, it is automatically slipped off without contacting the lipstick, and discarded.

The invention will be further described by reference to the accompanying drawing illustrating a preferred form thereof, and wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a central vertical section through the lipstick-refill dispenser;

FIG. 2 presents an exploded view of the structure shown in FIG. 1, the parts being shown in elevation; while FIG. 3 illustrates a detail.

Referring to the drawing, the numeral 10 indicates a vial which is of standard Construction, such as is em ployed in the pharmaceutical industry wherein it is made of `glass or plastic, preferably transparent, but which can `also be made of cardboard, metal, or other material. The vial is fitted with a friction plug-type hollow closure 11, there parts effecting an air-tight means for containing the pomade stick 12 which is fitted securely by friction into holder cup 13. The inside diameter of vial 10 is large enough to provide adequate clearance space around the pomade stick, so as to avoid smear and sticking. Holder cup 13 has an external circumferential bead 14 close to its open end. The side wall of the holder cup is provided with one or more outwardly protruding friction tabs or detents 15 which bear, with moderate frictional force, on the inside wall of closure 11, thus retaining the pomade and cup assembly securely against vibration and shock encountered in shipping and during ordinary handling and use.

Cylindrical sleeve or ring 16, preferably constructed of a transparent plastic material (although metal or cardboard could be used from a functional standpoint), has an internal shoulder 17 which bears against the upper edge of the bead 14 on holder cup 13 which limits the downward movement of the ring. One or more friction nubs or ribs 18 on the inside of the ring and extending from the shoulder 17 to approximately the bottom edge of the ring efi'ect a frictional grip on the circumference of the head, to a somewhat greater degree than the frictioral detents on holder cup 13 on the inside diameter of closure 11. The outer surface of ring 16 is provided with a fiuted or Ioughened finger gripping surface, as indicated at 19, but has a freely sliding fit with the inside wall of Vial 10. The upper portion of the ring 16 is internally tapered so as further to reduce the possibility of marring the pomade finish in the course of insertion into the vial and during the operation of refilling the lipstick container.

In assembling the above-described parts, after the lipstick has been securely positioned within the cup 13, the ring 16 is telescoped over the upper portion of the cup 13 until the shoulder 17 rests on the bead 14, and the ribs 18 are in tight frictional engagement with the outer circumference of the bead. The assembly, composed of the parts 11, 12, 13 and 16, is then inserted in the vial 10'.

To dispense the refill lipstick 12, the vial 10- is first separated from the cap or plug 11, the ring 16 is then .gripped between the thumb and forefinger and the cap 11 is then separated from the assembly composed of the parts 12, 13, and 16. Because of the higher degree of friction between the parts 16 and 13 than exists between the part 11 and holder cup 13, the cap can be slipped oif without disturbing the frictional interlock between the parts 13 and 16. While retaining the hold on the ring 16, the lower end of the cup 13 is inserted into the open end of the upwardly extended holder cup of the lipstick case or container (not shown) which is to be refilled. The base of the lipstick case is then rotated to cause retraction of the holder cup of the lipstick case, and as the lipstick is withdrawn into such case, the bottom edge of the ring 16 will engage the top edge of the case; and upon further retraction of the lipstick, the ring will be separated from the cup 13 and can then be removed and discarded. This is made possible by the relatively firmer grip exerted by the holder cup tabs or detents 15 against the internal wall of the lipstick case holder cup as Compared to the grip that ring 16 has on holder cup 13, and results in the automatic separation of ring 16 from holder cup 13. This means whereby the ring 16 is automatically pried loose from the holder cup avoids marring the pomade stick. On the other hand, marring of the pomade is almost certain to result in the use of known refilling devices which utilive a full-length vial or external sleeve as a holder for the pomade during the refilling operation.

As will be readily understood, the frictional contact between the cup 13 and the holder cup of the lipstick case will be greater than that which existed between cup 13 and cap 11, since the internal diameter of the cap is slightly larger than that of the lipstick case holding cup. This stronger frictional engagement insures the ejection of ring 16 as the lipstick is withdrawn into the case.

Variations from the specific Construction described above can be resorted to within the scope of the appended clairns without daparting from the spirit of the invention. Thus, the cup 13 can be replaced by a cylindrical sleeve, i.e., the bottom of the cup can be eliminated. Also, the detents 15 which, as shown, are struck from the wall of the cup 13, can be replaced by compressible friction pads made, for example, of rubber, spaced about the outer circumference of the cup. The ring 16 can be replaced by a split ring having suificient resilience so that it can be exp anded and slipped over the cup` 13 from below, thereby reducing still further the possibility of marring the surface of the refill, the released ring however engaging the bead 14 under a considerable degree of tension, so that the friction ribs 18 may then even be dispensed with.

I claim:

1. A lipstick-refill dispenser comprisng a vial provided with a removable hollow cap, a cup adapted to receive a lipstick refill and removably positioned within the cap and frictionally held therein, a ring detachably secured to the outer surface of the cup at the upper end of the latter and extendng beyond said cup and of such internal diameter that it is spaced from a lipstick positioned within the cup, the vial being freely movable over the outer surface of the ring, and the ring engaging the cup with a higher degree of friction than exists between the cup and cap, said cup being of such outer diameter that it is received tightly within the holder cup of a lipstick case, whereby said ring can be grasped between the thumb and forefinger to remove the cup and lipstick from the hollow cap after removal of the vial, and can be ejected by the casing of a lipstick case when the lipstick refill and its cup are placed within the raised holder cup of the case and then withdrawn into the casing.

2. A dispenser as defined in claim 1, wherein the dispenser cup is of smaller external diameter than the internal diameter of the cap, and means on the cup for frictionally engaging the inner wall of the cap.

3. A dispenser as defined in claim 1, wherein the ring is internally tapered to provide increasing spacing from the lipstick refill from approximately the bottom to the top of the ring toavoid marring of the surface of the lipstick.

4. A lipstick-refill dispenser comprising a vial provided with a removable hollow cap, a cup adapted to receive a lipstick and insertable within the hollow cap, and a ring surrounding the cup at the upper end thereof and of such internal diameter that it is spaced from a lipstick positioned within the cup, said ring being adapted to be grasped between the thumb and forefinger to remove the cup and lipstick from the hollow cap after removal of the vial, and being positioned to be ejected by the casing of a lipstick case when the lipstick and cup are placed within the raised cup of the lipstick case and then withdrawn into the casing, said first-mentioned cup being provided with an external bead, and said ring provided with an internal shoulder e-ngaging said bead.

5. A lipstick-refill dispenser comprising a vial provided with a removable hollow cap, a cup adapted to receive a lipstick and insertable within the hollow cap, and a ring surrounding the cup at the upper end thereof and of such internal diameter that it is spaced from a lipstick positioned within the cup, said ring being adapted to be grasped between the thumb and forefinger to remove the cup and lipstick from the hollow cap after removal of the vial, and being positioned to be ejected by the casing of a lipstick case when the lipstick and cup are placed within the raised cup of the lipstick case and then withdrawn into the casing, said first-mentioned cup being provided with an extended bead, and said ring provided with an internal shoulder engagng said bead, said cup being provided with one or more detents which frictionally engage the inner wall of the cap.

6. A lipstick-refill dispenser comprising a vial provided with a removable hollow cap, a cup adapted to receive a lipstick refill and removably positioned within the cap and frictionally held therein, a ring surrounding the cup at the upper end of the latter and of such internal diameter that it is spaced from a lipstick positioned within the cup, the vial being freely movable over the outer surface of the ring, and the ring engaging the cup with a higher degree of friction than exists between the cup and cap, said cup being of such outer diameter that it is received tightly within the holder cup of a lipstick case, whereby said ring can be grasped between the thumb and forefinger to remove the cup and lipstick from the hollow cap after removal of the vial, and ca-r be ejected by the casing of a lipstick case when the lipstick refill and its cup are placed within the holder cup of the case and then withdrawn into` the casing, said dispenser cup being provided with an external bead, and a shoulder on the inner wall of the ring engaging said bead.

7. A lipstick-refill dispenser comprising a vial provided with a removable hollow cap, a cup adapted to receive a lipstick and insertable within the hollow cap, and a ring detachably Secured to the outer surface of the cup at the upper end thereof and extending beyond said cup and of such internal diameter that it is spaced from a lipstick positioned within the cup, said ring being adapted to be grasped between the thumb and forefinger to remove the cup and lipstick from the hollow cap after removal of the vial, and being positioned to be ejected by the casing of a lipstick case when the lipstick and cup are placed within the raised cup of the lipstick case and then withdrawn into the casing.

8. A dispenser as defined in claim 7, wherein the cup is provided with one or more detents which frictionally engage the inner wall of the cap.

9. A dispenser as dened in claim 7, wherein the ring engages the inner wall of the vial with such a low degree of friction that the vial can be separated from the cap while leaving the ring in contact with the cup.

10. A dispenser as defined in claim 7, wherein the internal diameter of the cap is slightly larger than that of the holder cup in the lipstick case which receives the dispenser cup, whereby the outer diameter of the latter cup can be given a dimension which insures retention of the cup in the holder cup of the case With such high degree of friction that the ring can be slipped off the dispenser cup as the holder cup with the lipstck rell therein is wthdrawn into the case.

11. A dispenser as defined in claim 7, wherein the external surface of the ring is provided with depressions afordng a secure thumb and finger grip.

12. A dispenser as defined in claim 7, wherein the ring is internally tapered to provide increasing spacng from the lipstck from approximately the bottom to the top of the ring to avoid marring of the surface of the iipstick,

13. A dispenser as defined in claim 7, including means on the inner surface of the ring for increasing the frictional engagernent between the ring and cup.

14. A dispenser as defined in claim 7, wherein the parts are so dimensioned that the vial can slide freely on the outer surface of the ring as it is separated from its cap.

15. A dispenser as defined in claim 7, wheren the parts are so dimensioned that the degree of fricton between the cap and cup is lower than that between the ring and cup.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS THERON E. CONDON, Primary Examiner.

LOUIS J. DEMBO, Exam'ner. 

7. A LIPSTICK-REFILL DISPENSER COMPRISING A VIAL PROVIDED WITH A REMOVABLE HOLLOW CAP, A CUP ADAPTED TO RECEIVE A LIPSTICK AND INSERTABLE WITHIN THE HOLLOW CAP, AND A RING DETECHABLY SECURED TO THE OUTER SURFACE OF THE CUP AT THE UPPER END THEREOF AND EXTENDING BEYOND SAID CUP AND OF SUCH INTERNAL DIAMETER THAT IT IS SPACED FROM A LIPSTICK POSITIONED WITHIN THE CUP, SAID RING BEING ADAPTED TO BE GRAPSED BETWEEN THE THUMB AND FOREFINGER TO REMOVE THE CUP AND LISTICK FROM THE OLLOW CAP AFTER REMOVAL OF THE VAIL, AND BEING POSITIONED TO BE EJECTED BY THE CASING OF A LIPSTICK CASE WHEN THE LIPSTICK AND CUP ARE PLACED WITHIN THE RAISED CUP OF THE LIPSTICK CASE AND THEN WITHDRAWN INTO THE CASING. 